If you’ve ever clicked on a product link shared by a blogger, YouTuber, or even a friend on social media and then ended up buying it, chances are, they earned a small commission from that sale. That’s affiliate marketing in action.
The beauty of it is simple: you need not own a product or run a big company. Instead, you partner with online brands that already have products or services people love. You share their link, and every time someone makes a purchase or even signs up through that link, you earn money.
Companies love this system because they only pay when results come in, and affiliates love it because it’s one of the easiest ways to start making money online. With just a blog, a YouTube channel, or even your Instagram page, you can start recommending things you actually use, from apps and gadgets to travel bookings and finance tools and turn those recommendations into an income stream.
What makes it even better is that you’re not tied to just one brand. You can pick multiple affiliate programs that suit your audience and build several income sources at once. Some programs even reward you again and again whenever your referral keeps using the service.
Sounds exciting, right? Let’s dive into the top 10 affiliate programs in India (2025) that actually pay and can help you build a reliable side income.
Top 10 Affiliate Programs in India (2025)
Here are carefully chosen programs across different categories, eCommerce, gadgets, finance, and networks to help you get started.
E-Commerce Giants
- Flipkart Affiliate Program
- One of India’s biggest online marketplaces.
- Earn commissions on electronics, fashion, home, and more.
- Commission rates: 1%–12% depending on category.
- AJIO Affiliate Program
- Popular fashion and lifestyle store from Reliance.
- Great for fashion bloggers and Instagram influencers.
- Commission rates: up to 10%.
Tech & Gadgets
- MI (Xiaomi) Affiliate Program
- Known for budget-friendly smartphones and gadgets.
- Huge demand among students and young professionals.
- Commissions vary but flat per-sale payouts.
- Samsung Affiliate Program
- Covers mobiles, TVs, appliances, and wearables.
- Trusted global brand, great conversions.
- Commission rates: around 5%–8%.
Finance & Payments
- CoinDCX Affiliate Program
- India’s leading crypto exchange.
- Lifetime commission on trading fees from referrals.
- Earn up to 50% commission on every trade.
- WazirX Affiliate Program
- Another popular crypto platform with high user base.
- Earn passive income as long as your referrals keep trading.
- Commission: 50% of trading fees.
Personal Finance & Payments Apps
- Cred Affiliate Program
- Rewards app for credit card bill payments.
- Growing rapidly among urban professionals.
- Affiliates earn per-install or per-verified signup.
- Google Pay Affiliate Program
- India’s most widely used payment app.
- Frequent referral bonuses for new users.
- Assured commissions per referral (varies by campaign).
Affiliate Networks
- Amazon Associates
- The world’s largest affiliate network.
- Promote anything from books and electronics to fashion.
- Commission rates: 0.2%–10% depending on category.
- vCommission Affiliate Network
- India’s first homegrown affiliate network.
- Offers multiple campaigns (eCommerce, travel, finance, SaaS).
- Great for diversifying your affiliate sources.
Getting started with affiliate marketing in India doesn’t need a huge investment or even a full-fledged company. The real question is: how do you actually use these affiliate links to earn money?
You have two main ways:
- Build a platform – A blog, YouTube channel, or even a niche Instagram page gives you long-term growth. People discover your content through Google or social media, click your links, and you keep earning even while you sleep. This is the best way if you’re serious about creating a steady income stream.
- Start simple – Not ready for a website yet? No worries. You can still share your affiliate links directly with friends, WhatsApp groups, or your social media circles. While this might not scale as big, it’s a good way to test which products and programs actually work for your audience.
In short, if you want quick wins, start sharing links with people you already know. But if you want to turn affiliate marketing into a long-term business, investing time in a blog, channel, or social platform is the smarter move.
Either way, the key is to recommend genuinely useful products or services — because people can always tell the difference between a real suggestion and a forced one. Do it right, and affiliate marketing can become a reliable side income that grows over time.